Local Notes:Christmas Lights, New Crib, Clonberne Yearbook
Declan and Pauline Shanagher pictured at the recent Ballintubber senior citizens Christmas party. Pic: Liam Reynolds
Ballymoe FC’s fundraising walk/run will be held on St. Stephen’s Day in conjunction with Mayo/Roscommon Hospice Foundation. Registration at Ballymoe Community Centre from 11.15 a.m. with walk/run starting at 12 noon, 5K, 7K or 10K. Registration is €10 and €5 for U-16s. Refreshments in the Community Centre afterwards.
Ballymoe FC will be holding its annual fundraising auction on Saturday, December 27th in The Tavern Bar, Ballymoe. A great night always guaranteed. Your support for the club is always appreciated.
The Williamstown 2025 magazine, Off The Record, produced as always by Williamstown Development Company, is now available in all the regular local outlets. It is packed with a variety of interesting articles, features, poems, photos etc, and represents great value at €8. It makes an ideal stocking filler, or a nice present to post to family or friends overseas.
Following the very successful launch of “The Puddler Poet, the Life, Times and Poetry of Michael McGovern”, the biography by the late renowned broadcaster, Jim Fahy of this almost forgotten local man, the book continues to sell steadily. The biography is currently available at €20, from Sharkey’s Spar, SNJ Cafe, and the WDC office (all in Williamstown). It is also available in Books ‘n More and Pat Lane Shoes (both Tuam), Charlie Byrne’s bookshop and Kennys’ Bookshop (both Galway), Newsround (Roscommon), Mulvihills’ Newsagents (Castlerea) and Ballintubber Post Office. It can also be purchased via the online site “buythebook.ie” or directly from Leo Finnegan (086 1603043) or (finneganleo100@gmail.com). If there is postage/packaging involved, the costs are €6 (Ireland), €12.50 (UK) and €20 (USA).
A big thank you to all those who purchased the Williamstown 2026 Calendar, again a joint production by two local voluntary organisations, Williamstown Tidy Towns and Williamstown Heritage Society. All copies have now been sold, so another successful project has been completed. A big Thank You to our many generous sponsors whom we ask you to support. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.
The lights on the new Christmas tree in the grounds of St. Therese’s Parish Church were switched on on Thursday, December 11th. There was a great crowd in attendance for the event, creating the very special atmosphere that is associated with the beautiful season of Christmas. The children in the attendance had an extra treat, as Santa Claus made a special appearance and had a present for all of them. Well done to the organisers of the event, with the Williamstown Festival Committee, the Williamstown Christmas Lights Committee and a number of individuals all playing a significant part in preparing for the event. The switching on of the lights was followed by the annual carol service in the church by the pupils of the Sacred Heart National School, Williamstown. There was a capacity audience for a lovely, entertaining performance by the pupils, with each of the classes putting on their own individual show. There was a nice blend of the traditional Christmas carols with some of the more modern Christmas songs, in addition to some lovely instrumental music. Well done to all involved in this enjoyable, seasonal performance.
An attractive feature in Williamstown this Christmas is the new crib on the square and everyone agrees it is nothing short of a masterpiece. The Williamstown Development Company sponsored it, and Immense gratitude is extended to Oliver Lennon for coming up with the design and he painstakingly manufactured it from scratch. Thanks to Galway County Council and John Barrett of West Engineering for their assistance with the permanent structure which houses the crib, this will be invaluable for future use, for example to highlight events which are happening in the village, advertise a local attraction etc.etc. Thanks to David Burke electrician and his team, and all the willing volunteers who helped put the crib and lights up. Thanks also to the volunteers who helped with the individual Christmas trees displayed on all the houses and shops. Also, a new tree has been installed in the church grounds, again thanks to John Barrett and volunteers who put this in place, it adds so much to the Christmas spirit, and the wall crib kindly donated by a parishioner, makes for a wonderful festive display. Gratitude to all the organisations and volunteers who came together and gave of their time and talents to put everything in place. All can be justifiably proud of the community who are never found wanting when there's work to be done and may the volunteering spirit never diminish, the village is looking resplendent this Christmas. A big thank you and Happy Christmas everyone.
The death took place recently of Mr John Glynn, Kilternan, Dublin (and formerly Williamstown). John was a very prominent and well respected member of the hospitality industry in Ireland for decades, having held at various times, key positions with the Burlington Hotel, the P.V. Doyle Chain of Hotels and Citywest Hotel. Though based in the capital city for much of his life, he never lost his love for Galway and for Williamstown, and always took extra care of any visitors to his hotel from his native place. He always looked after the various Galway teams whenever they were playing in Croke Park, and I can recall meeting him in the Galway dressing room after their win over Meath in the All-Ireland Final of 2001. It wasn’t easy to gain entry, but I succeeded in doing so through the good offices of another Dublin based Williamstown man, Hubert Collins, who was a high ranking Garda at the time. John, who was known far and wide for his kindness, was always ready to make attractive hotel prizes available to various Williamstown fundraising efforts, including the annual festival. One of the highlights of his career was when he was chosen by the Galway Association in Dublin as the Galway Man of the Year. We extend our sympathy to his wife, Gill; children, Charlotte, Oliver, Harry and Lucy, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, brothers Tom and Richard, sister Marian, mother-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. RIP John. L.F.
warmest congratulations to neighbouring club, Kilkerrin/Clonberne on their outstanding achievement in winning the All-Ireland Senior Ladies Football Club Competition for the fifth year in a row on Saturday last. Well done to their manager, Willie Ward, to his fellow mentors, to all the players on the panel, and to their superb band of supporters on achieving this momentous milestone. It is no more than they deserve for their dedication, their spirit and, of course, their outstanding footballing ability.
The community lost another special member recently when Mary Ryan, Moneenalley, Farm (formerly Whyte, Lisrivish) passed away. She was predeceased by her husband, Michael some years ago. Mary was kind and friendly by nature with her pleasant disposition an ever present characteristic. She was the best of neighbours, something which I experienced at first hand, having worked next door to her home for nine years. Mary had a strong, yet simple faith, which she adhered to on a daily basis by living out her Christian values. Work was something that came very easily to her, whether in the home, in the garden or on the land. Mary had a great bond with her family, from her husband Michael to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Sport was always a huge part of life in the Ryan household. The late Michael was an outstanding sportsman, and this tradition has been carried on through future generations, with the grandchildren in both Galway and Donegal achieving great sporting successes. Mary was always so supportive and proud of all their achievements. We extend sincere sympathy to her sons Sean and Martin, daughters Annette and Marion, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, nieces, nephews, sister-in-law, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends. L. F.
KILKERRIN NS CAROL SERVICE Kilkerrin NS carol service takes place in Kilkerrin Church on Thursday, December 18th at 11.30 a.m.. All are welcome.
Kilkerrin Festival Committee presents Sharon Shannon and guests in Kilkerrin Community Centre on December 21st at 7.30 p.m.. Doors open at 6.30 p.m.. Tickets €30. Mulled wine and raffle on the night. For tickets contact Jennifer on 086 3955564, Keith 086 3482019 or a committee member.
Your prayers are requested for Mary Farragher, Ballyglunin, (sister of Mickey Keane, Derreen, Lavally); Bridie Cobey, Macclesfield, Glinsk, (aunt of Jackie Halvey, Castletown).
Clonberne Yearbook 2025 is now on sale in local shops. This would make an ideal Christmas present for natives of the parish. Well done to all involved, especially the editorial team for another fine publication.
